Ethics Commission votes 4-1 against Mirkarimi

Ethics Commission chairman Ben Hur had been pushing for a narrow view of official misconduct as the board was about to vote on Mayor Ed Lee’s move to remove Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi for “official misconduct.” As other commissioners spoke in favor of a broader interpretation, Hur called for a brief break.

When the commission reconvened, Hur called for a straw poll on the charge. Four commissioners — Hayon, Liu, Renne and Studley — said that Mirkarimi committed “official misconduct.”

Having made clear that he found Mirkarimi’s behavior to be “egregious,” Hur stipulated that while domestic violence is not a private matter, “private and public does not mean the same thing as official.” He fears that a broad reading of official misconduct invites too much mischief. Hur voted alone. It was a lonely moment.